Ekiti Election Aftermath: Controversial Victory Amidst Vote Buying Allegations

The recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election has drawn mixed assessments from various observer groups, revealing both commendable progress in electoral administration and persistent challenges that threaten the integrity of voter choice. Cynthia Mbamalu, the Director of Programmes at YIAGA Africa, described the election as a 'mix,' an improvement that nonetheless highlights the need for significant strengthening of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly concerning the integrity of voter choice. Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer for the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, characterized it as 'free with fear,' pointing to irregularities that could set a dangerous precedent for future polls.

On the positive side, observers lauded several improvements. YIAGA Africa confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) official results aligned with its independent tally, using its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology. The organization commended INEC for enhancements in election logistics and conduct, including the early deployment of materials and personnel, prompt accreditation and voting processes, and a generally peaceful atmosphere. Mbamalu also recognized that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the use of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were crucial electoral technologies that improved transparency in result transmission and limited multiple voting.

Despite these advancements, significant concerns emerged, primarily surrounding the integrity of voter choice and the prevalence of vote buying. Both Mbamalu and Aigbe lamented the rampant voter inducement, with Mbamalu noting that money politics continues to undermine voter choice, driven by high levels of poverty, unemployment, and a disconnect between the government and the people. She argued that the political class poses a major threat to democracy by weaponizing poverty, limiting the freedom of choice. Aigbe echoed this sentiment, insisting that while vote buying is not INEC's responsibility, it falls squarely on security agencies and citizens themselves to actively reject financial inducements. He questioned the inaction of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC despite alleged movements of large sums of cash on the eve of the election.

Further issues highlighted included inconsistencies and procedural lapses. Aigbe raised concerns over alleged voting without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) using slips, reportedly in 14% of polling units, and isolated BVAS failures in 10% of units. He stressed that the Electoral Act does not permit the use of such forms in place of BVAS and called on INEC to clarify these incidents, as they could lead to discrepancies between accreditation records and votes cast. YIAGA Africa also noted a turnout gap, where its estimated turnout (34.1–38.2%) differed from INEC’s announced 38.7%, suggesting INEC might have used outdated registered voter figures.

Mbamalu cautioned against generalizing the Ekiti experience to national elections, highlighting that larger scale, increased competition, and existing operational gaps would present greater challenges for INEC. She emphasized the normalization of impunity and anomalies in Nigerian elections, urging for higher, more stringent standards for democracy to function effectively.

In light of these findings, several recommendations were put forth for future elections, especially the 2027 general elections. For INEC, observers called for strengthening its oversight system, ensuring due diligence, clarifying rules (particularly on electronic transmission), addressing turnout discrepancies, and tightening quality control for sensitive materials. Security agencies were urged to ensure more neutral and professional deployment, enforce laws rigorously, and actively arrest electoral offenders, especially those involved in vote buying. Political parties were encouraged to prioritize issue-based campaigns, invest in voter mobilization and education, and focus on delivering good governance rather than undermining the process through financial inducements. Regulating incumbency powers and the use of state resources was also deemed critical for fair competition.

Amidst these assessments, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) felicitated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his landslide victory, applauding the people of Ekiti State for a peaceful, transparent, and well-attended poll. The RHA commended President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders for creating an enabling environment, stating that the Ekiti people's decision reflected strong confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s Shared Prosperity Agenda. Aigbe, too, noted that Governor Oyebanji's victory was not surprising, given his strategic efforts over the past two years to build alliances and engage opposition figures. The RHA reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing support for policies that deepen development and urged the Governor to remain inclusive and magnanimous in his new term.

Ultimately, while the Ekiti State governorship election demonstrated improvements in election administration and logistics, the pervasive issue of vote buying, procedural inconsistencies, and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms remain critical areas requiring urgent attention to truly strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure the integrity of voter choice in upcoming elections.